What is the Impossible List?

I first came across this idea from Thomas Frank, who credits Joel Runyon as the originator. Their versions deeply inspired me—so I’ve made my own.

To quote Joel:

“The Impossible List is not a bucket list. There’s a difference. Not just in the name, but in the entire concept... The impossible list is different. It’s fluid—always changing, always evolving. It’s not just a piece of paper, it’s a commentary to yourself on how you’re living.”

Life

  • Graduate from College May 2021 :D

  • Have a profile on wiki/google search profile

  • Have 1,000,000 dollars in savings

  • Visit every state in the USA!

  • Build an awesome family.

  • Read 1000 books (Yeah…Definitely ripped this from Mr. TFrank, however, I really fell in love with this and the quote added in support by Robert Heinlein… It makes me want to continue my efforts in being a specialized generalist and lifelong learner:) You can view my progress on my Goodreads page here!)

Professional

  • Invest $10,000

  • Invest 20k

  • Invest 30k

  • Invest 50k

  • Own Real Estate

  • Give (an official) TED talk

  • Start a business

Creative

  • Learn piano

  • Create a band/play a show (2/10/19ish)

    • Headline at “The Basement”

  • Write a book

  • Make a piece of art that I can sell

  • Create a photo page

  • Create an album

  • Release a solo album

  • Create and perform a standup routine

    • (First Open Mic: 11/22/23)

  • Go on Tour with a band

Month-Long Challenges

  • Meditate/Pray every day for a month (MC)(May 2019)

  • Wake up at 5 am (MC)

  • Cold Showers (MC)

  • Run 1 mile a day (MC)

  • Yoga (MC)

  • Journal (MC)

  • Type out a page of Creative material a day (MC)

  • Social Media Cleanse (MC) (May 2022)

  • 72-Hour Fast (MC) (June 2022)

Events/Shows

  • Coachella

  • Lollapalooza

  • E3

  • Running of the bulls

    • Technically, yes…but I want to run in it

  • Minecon

  • SXSW

    • January 2022 (Climate-tech event)

  • ACL (8/14/22) thank you, Mitchell :)

  • Hamilton

  • Arctic Monkeys (9/15/23)

  • The Strokes

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

  • Manchester Orchestra (3/4/2022) thank you, Brock :)

  • Hovvdy

    • (4/9/2025 — Mohawk Austin)

Travel

  • Brazil

    • Bahia

  • Spain (link to pic’s or MJ page)

    • Walk the El Camino

  • Indonesia

    • Again

    • Again, but for a month+

  • Singapore

  • Europe

    • 8/1/23 London with Mooshell and Evan B. :)

  • Mexico

  • Alaska

  • Iceland

  • Scotland

  • Argentina

  • Africa/Madagascar

  • Australia

    • New Zealand

  • Peru

    • Machu Picchu

  • China

  • Japan

  • Mexico

    • Mexico City

    • Baja

  • Additional!

    • July 2023 — Jordan + Egypt with friends :)

Why I Created My “Impossible List”

Over the years, I’ve scribbled countless goals and aspirations—some in my Notes app, others in scattered notebooks from different chapters of my life. If you know me, you know I try to journal at least once a month—dumping thoughts, reflecting on what’s happened, re-centering, rewriting goals, and trying to figure out what the heck I’m doing with my life.

That’s why I created this Impossible List: a living document where I can collect, track, and reflect on everything I want to experience and accomplish. Not just dreams—but actions in progress.

“But Anthony, this feels really personal. Why put it on the internet!?”

Great question—and you’re absolutely right. Part of the reason is selfish: putting it out there keeps me accountable. But more importantly, I hope it inspires someone out there—maybe you—to start chasing that thing you’ve been putting off.

As Neil Gaiman put it:

“The moment that you feel that just possibly you are walking down the street naked… that’s the moment you may be starting to get it right.”

Fitness/Health

  • Bench 225 7 times (Spring 2019)

    • Now do it for 10 (No video, unfortunately, but completed sometime fall 2020)

  • Bench 300 (4/5/21)

    • Bench 315 (have done this TWICE now…unfortunately, no video:/ my lifting partner Matiss is my eyewitness ;) (4/26/21)

    • Bench 320?

  • Squat 405lb

  • Deadlift 365lbs

    • Deadlift 405 (11/21/20)

    • Deadlift 450

  • Join the 1000lb club (Combined Bench-Deadlift-Squat) (MockMeet: 1,085lbs 11/21/20)

    • SBD total of 1500lb

  • Do a muscle-up

    • Two Muscle ups completed in Austin, TX on 6/11/2025. (Thank you Angel for helping me with my technique!)

  • Complete a marathon

  • Complete a triathlon

  • Complete an Ironman

Skills

  • Become fluent in Spanish

  • Rebuild a motorcycle  (Video coming soon:)

  • Learn how to ballroom dance

  • Learn how to tango

  • Learn how to backflip whilst standing

  • Do a kickflip

Random/Fun

  • Get my Pilots license

  • Skydive (5/15/21)

  • Scuba in Australia (Great Barrier Reef Summer 2019)

    • Scuba in Indonesia (Summer 2019)

    • Scuba in Africa/somewhere with sharks- maybe a cage dive? Cage Exit?!

  • Climb Mount Everest

  • Sail across the Atlantic/Pacific

  • Sail from Cali to Hawaii

  • Catch a swordfish/shark

  • Swim with dolphins (or a whale)

  • Start a Youtube Channel (Summer 2020)

    • Create and post 5 YT videos (11/6/21)

    • Create and post 10 YT videos

  • Create a website (Summer 2020)

    • Update the website to be concurrent with your life

    • Do it again (12/1/21)

      • Officially Published 12/19/21

      • Again (6/18/22)

      • Again! (x/xx/xx) (Thank you Rish Vee.)

  • Create and post 5 blog posts (1/21/22)

    • Create and post 10 blog posts (6/18/22)

    • Create and post 20 blog posts

  • Complete a LONG motorcycle trip (500+miles) (Summer 2021:)

    • Blog Post/Video coming soon! (rode ~12k miles!)

  • Ride to Alaska

  • Ride through Europe

  • Ride through Asia

  • Climbing trip to Yosemite

  • Ride in a helicopter and snowboard down

  • Restore an old motorcycle

    • 1975 CB400 Four Super Sport! (Spring 2022)